Montgomery County Community College, Drexel University announce partnership

WHITPAIN — Montgomery County Community College and Drexel University have announced a new partnership that may help students get a good education while saving a few bucks in the process.

According to a press release, the program, known as Drexel@MCCC, “enables students to earn their associate and bachelor degrees from two premiere education institutions conveniently and affordably at MCCC’s central campus in Blue Bell, or online.”

The partnership will focus on helping those students entering into high-demand jobs in the science, technology, engineering and math and health sciences fields get the best education for a low cost.

“Unlike traditional articulation agreements, Drexel@MCCC is a fully-integrated partnership through which faculty and advisors from both institutions work together with students in dedicated learning spaces to provide a seamless education experience. The partnership extends to all areas of the institutions; libraries, facilities and students services are just a few examples,” the release states.

Classes are slated to begin in the fall and will include six initial on-site programs: B.S. in computing and security technology; B.S. in business administration; B.S. in business administration with co-op; B.S. in mechanical engineering; B.S. in electrical engineering; and a hybrid B.S.N. program designed for registered nurses. In addition, B.S. programs in business administration and criminal justice will be offered online through a partnership between MCCC’s new Virtual Campus and Drexel University Online.

The partnership will then expand to include even more programs in health sciences that will complement the opening of the new Health Sciences Center in 2016 at MCCC.

Students will be able to graduate from MCCC with an associate’s degree that will seamlessly allow them to continue into a bachelor’s program with Drexel.

“Montgomery County Community College and Drexel University are on the cutting edge of this emerging model for higher education that not only delivers a world-class education to students, but also builds a qualified workforce to enhance the economic viability of our communities,” said MCCC President Dr. Karen A. Stout in a press release. “This partnership is an investment in the future: the future of our students, our institutions, and an investment in future of the greater Montgomery County region.”

“Drexel’s strategy for meeting challenges begins with expert partnerships,” Drexel President John A. Fry also said in a release. “Today’s higher education challenge is to increase access and value for all potential students, and we’re proud to partner with the experts at MCCC to do just that. Through this partnership, we look forward to serving even more Montgomery County residents.”